DRAINABLE SECTION STABILIZER SLEEVE

• US 20150001822A1
• Filed: 06/28/2013
• Published: 01/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Saje, Robert N., Johnson, John C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,428,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/124.106
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/24 Superstructure sub-units with access or drainage openings having movable or removable closures; Sealing means thereforinlet covers for vehicle fuel tanks B60K15/05

Abstract

A product comprising a drainable section stabilizer sleeve for a vehicle body structure.

Claims

1. A product comprising:

a stabilizer sleeve;

wherein the stabilizer sleeve includes a body;

wherein the body includes an upper portion and a lower portion;

wherein the upper portion is hollow;

wherein the lower portion includes a close out feature; and

wherein the upper portion of the body includes at least one drain hole.

2. The product of claim 1 wherein the close out feature is a threaded bore which is constructed and arranged to mate with a mechanical fastener.

3. The product of claim 1 wherein the at least one drain hole is located adjacent the close out feature.

4. The product of claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the body includes a lip.

5. The product of claim 1 wherein the stabilizer sleeve is cylindrical.

6. The product of claim 1 wherein the stabilizer sleeve comprises aluminum.

7. The product of claim 1 wherein the stabilizer sleeve comprises aluminum alloy.

8. The product of claim 1 wherein the stabilizer sleeve is extruded.

9. The product of claim I wherein the stabilizer sleeve is constructed and arranged to be inserted into a cavity of a vehicle body structure.

10. The product of claim 9 wherein the stabilizer sleeve is attached to the vehicle body structure,

11. The product of claim 10 wherein the vehicle body structure includes an upper surface and a lower surface;

wherein the upper portion of the body of the stabilizer sleeve is welded to the upper surface of the vehicle body structure; and

wherein the lower portion of the stabilizer sleeve is welded to the lower surface of the vehicle body structure.

12. The product of claim 9 wherein the vehicle body structure is a section of a front rail.

13. The product of claim 9 wherein the vehicle body structure is a section of a 6-bar.

14. The product of claim 9 wherein the vehicle body structure is a section of a rocker.

15. The product of claim 10 wherein the vehicle body structure and the stabilizer sleeve are attached to a vehicle component.

16. The product of claim 12 wherein the section of the front rail attached to a cradle via the close out feature.

17. The product of claim 14 wherein the section of the rocker is attached to an underbody bracing attachment via the close out feature.

18. The product of claim 13 wherein the section of the 6-bar is attached to a cradle via the close out feature.

19. The product of claim 10 wherein the section stabilizer provides localized stiffness to the vehicle body structure.